Beta Releases

"Perhaps, here... things will be different." This article, or parts of it, are Speculation and may not turn out to be correct.

This article or section is Under Construction.

Before the release of any Grand Theft Auto game, there were features that were removed from the final product. These changes range from deleted vehicles and player skins to the removal of entire characters and mission strands.

Grand Theft Auto III

The original GTA III police cars (top), and the police cars from the released game (bottom).

An early beta map of GTA III Liberty City.

The original Callahan Bridge.

Characters

Claude's appearance went through many different designs. Some screenshots show a poorly detailed Claude, who looks completely different from the final version. Other pictures show a more final Claude with different hair and a chubbier appearance.

Police Officers had mustaches, which can actually be seen in the game's instruction manual.

Fire Fighters had yellow uniforms.

Buskers were cut/disabled from the game and later introduced in GTA IV. Existence of buskers in GTA III, can be seen in default.ide file at the bottom line that says "#83, busker1, busker1, CIVMALE, STAT_BUSKER, man, 0". Note that the "#" marks the line as "disabled"

Missions

Originally, when doing Vigilante, Paramedic, or Firefighter missions, the vehicles radio could go out of range - requiring the player to drive closer to the nearest police station/hospital/fire station.

Originally, most of the missions could not be taken at any time, since the leaders were busy. Example extracted from the files: "Toni's taken his Momma to the opera - Call in some other time!"

City

The city during development stage (see picture) was very different than the finished version and has more streets and roads.

Punk Noodles was originally just with a small grass park with two statues. The statue model still exists in the game's files.

The Callahan Bridge was going to be named West Port Bridge (taken from a sign in Atlantic Quay).

There were other area names that supposedly going to be included in the game. These are The Towers, Sewers, Swanksville, Projects, Luigi's Place, Little Italy and Industrial Park. Waterfront Promenade, Westport and Westport Bridge could be seen in some directions going to Trenton and Atlantic Quays.

8-Ball's Garage was supposedly be in the area names on the screen (Observed in the archives of the PS2 version).

In the beta, the Hepburn Heights apartments were surrounded by metal fencing.

In the beta also, the Shoreside Lift Bridge has many roads leading to the bridge. However, a picture of GTA III has the beta picture without the lift bridge. It is possible that the Callahan Bridge took its place in the beta.

In the recent interview about GTA III, the logo was used to be stencil font and other one, a pill-shaped logo similar to GTA 2 logo.

GTA III original logo.

Unused lines of text within the game's text files contain phrases, such as "You're perfectly healthy, get out of here!" and "I'll just fix you up". These lines of text seem to imply that the game's hospitals were, originally, accessible/usable.

The route of the aircraft was changed to not seem like it would pass too close to buildings (a consequence of 9/11).

The Rocket Launcher's original scope looked a lot like the one of sniper rifle.

Safehouses would gradually improve in their appearance as the player progressed and gained more money.

According to files found on the PS2 Disc, there is an Interior for the Inside Track Betting in Vice Point indicating that betting was initially for Vice City but delayed until San Andreas.

(Some of the Interior textures have actually been reused in San Andreas betting shop interiors)

There were several unused ped models. One man wearing a blue suit, one woman carrying a basket, another woman is wearing a orange shirt and another woman is carrying two shopping bags.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Out of all the Grand Theft Auto games, San Andreas may have had the most changes before release. The player was able to have uncensored sex, drink, and do drugs. There were many interiors that were left unused, though many remain in the game files. There were a considerable amount of missions cut, as well as numerous vehicles and character models.

Each city had their own unique motor officers, however the final version of the game uses the same model for each city. These beta officers still remain in the game files and can be spawned with trainers.

In gta3.img there are files foransed ped (likely taxi driver) and a female valet. Judging from the bad details of the valet, she was cut in the early stages of development.

There were also a psycho ped dressed in green sleeve jacket and camo pants. Even, there is a psycho person statistic in the game files with this name: STAT_PSYCHO.

Ryder was supposed to be killed on the pier, and T-Bone Mendez was supposed to escape on the boat but it was changed into the final version.

The locations for the snapshot icons (San Fierro collectible) and the horseshoes (Las Venturas collectible) were different in the beta version in comparison to the released version. This came from the original PS2 version of the Strategy Guide, which still used the original beta locations. However, this was changed for the Xbox and PC versions later on.

Rampages returning from GTA Vice City ware cut, their pickup model still exists in the game files.

City

The Mulholland Safehouse seemed to have a full interior that can be seen from the outside. The change on final version causes a glitch which allows the player to go through the wall.[15]

San Andreas was different and had several different land masses, such as a different San Fierro (which resembled San Francisco more closely) with more parks and less docks. A full beta map of San Andreas can be found on a wall in the Lil' Probe'Inn.

Santa Flora Medical Center had two helipads on its roof. These pads were most likely meant for the Maverick and Raindance that spawn there in the alpha. Oddly enough, these helipads were absent in the alpha, so the choppers simply spawned on the roof.

The Clown's Pocket casino was originally called The Ringmaster, its original name can still be seen on the paper map included inside the game box.

Pedestrians would walk into and out of accessible places like stores, clubs, etc. and GSF members would walk into and out of / hang out in your safehouses.

There was meant to be a trailer for the Roadtrain which was capable of pulling more trailers. The old model still exists in the game files and there's even a newer version under the name of 'artic3' however this is un capable of pulling other trailers.

Pool tables were originally going to be colored green instead of blue.

Carl Johnson was able to use drugs, which would make the camera wobble around making it more difficult to control CJ.

The ability to drink beer was cut from the final version.

Through the hidden interiors universe, unused brothels can be found, these were most likely to be placed on top of Strip Clubs.

Pre-release magazine articles showed that stealing cars was to be much more difficult. In early screen shots, car jacking was shown to involve smashing the car's window and then hot wiring it. This was all removed, possibly due to the limitations posed by the PS2. A similar system is present in HD Universe games.

Accorded to a strategy guide, adrenaline pills from previous GTA games were in the beta version. However their effect can still be activate with a cheat code. Model and textures for the pill can still be found in the game files.

According to a picture from the strategy guide, there was originally a pool table inside Madd Dogg's Mansion.

According to american.gxt, there were several phone calls and lines which were cut.

According to gta3.img, there are several more items of clothing available at the clothes stores, including t-shirts, trousers, caps and more - these were all in the game but not used.

There was a Boxcar that the Freight would presumably have pulled instead of, or in addition to the flatcars present in the final version. These still exist in the game, and can be modded onto a train with relative ease.

A path file exists for the railroad track into Easter Basin, suggesting that it was to feature at some point. This can be utilized through modifications.

When the player got busted in the last vehicle they drove, it could be stolen back from the Impound.

A cutscene depicting the drive-by that killed Beverly Johnson, including Sweet and Kendl's reactions, and Ryder shooting back at the Sabre, indicating that he was not originally involved with Big Smoke and C.R.A.S.H. in the killing.

The Xoomer petroleum company was originally called Xenon. This can be seen in the game's internal files. Additionally, an LOD Xenon billboard can be seen in San Fierro, but it is only visible while the game's graphics are loading.

Little Jacob originally did not wear glasses, and prominently wore a zebra patterned jacket. This is obvious if you look closely at him during the short cutscene of him selling guns during First Date (GTA IV).

Early map showing Beta Liberty City in GTA IV. Notice the extra space in Northeast Alderney, and the third runway at Francis International Airport.

Some areas named Anger Bay, Norfolk, Jefferson Heights, Acter Bay, Richmond , Frogtown, Washington Heights were cut. Two areas called Hedgebury and Goatherd can be seen on roadsigns on the Broker-Dukes Expressway. It is likely that they are two more cut neighborhoods, or they could be beta names of the neighborhoods that are where Hedgebury and Goatherd supposedly lead to (Firefly Projects for Goatherd, and Outlook for Hedgebury).

The setting of the game was originally going to be Liberty State, rather than just Liberty City, and it would have included countryside surrounding Liberty City, mountains based on the Adirondacks and Catskills [11], and possibly The Caraways. The article mentioned that there were three cities. First is Liberty City, next is possibly The Caraways and the last could be Carcer City mentioned as "nearby".

There was probably an airport in Alderney according to an extraspace in the south-western part of the state.

In Alderney State, there was a peninsula in the north-western part that shows only land. It is unknown what was located here.

Clothing

Fingerless gloves were probably available during gameplay. Pre-release screenshots, posters, trailers and videos of the PC version also show Niko with fingerless gloves but were still not available in the game. They still however can be found in the game files.

According to a French preview, a few of Rolling Stones songs could be heard on Liberty Rock Radio.

Head Radio was meant to carry on and appear but was dropped during development.

Others

The first removed haircut design for Niko was a cut that seemed to resemble helmet-hair.

The second removed haircut design for Niko was a buzz cut.

The Well Stacked Pizza Co. was originally meant to return but was removed before release. Outside Pizza This, the logo can still be seen and employees in the Alderney branch have "Well Stacked Pizza Co." on the back of their shirts. This may also indicate that this was once the original location for one of the stores.

According to early in-game previews, a city bus service was available for Niko to use, with a bus schedule popping up after walking to a bus stop. A bus driver character model is also found in the in-game files. Occasionally, an operating bus with the driver will be seen exiting the runway roads of Francis International Airport, however, if the player attempts to get in, the driver is 'pulled' from the bus.

Originally, the bailing out animation involved Niko diving forward, as seen in the second trailer.

Niko had these contacts in his phone: Cab, City, and Dock.

Snow was a weather condition but it is only seen as an unused scenario for pedestrian behavior in the game files.[21] However if you leave Niko sitting there for a bit, you may see him rubbing his hands and warming them, showing that the weather is cold.

Developers originally considered letting players purchase music by going to an in-game record shop and for Niko to have an MP3 player, but both ideas were cut.

Niko's cell phone had a different shape.

The weapons in the beta version had different names.

United Liberty Paper's contact's office was much more dirty, and his voice sounded different, as seen in the second trailer.

There was a helicopter with only two propellers, and a design which looked just like the Police Maverick but with no LCPD logos on the side. This could have been the earlier version of the Police Maverick or it could have been an earlier version of the Maverick, although it is unlikely because the design is not similar in any way.

The old death animation from 3D Universe was returned but it was cut to replace with Ragdoll Physics. It can obviously seen during the mission Entourage where the first guard who died in the ambush uses the old death animation, and even in free roam if the game runs slow and you take out peds from afar with sniper.

A fast food restaurant called Ping's, where Nike would order food inside the restaurant was in the beta but was cut.

A café restaurant called Rockstar Café was cut along with it's employees.

According to the cut audio files, Niko would originally purchase ice cream from the vendors in the gameplay.

Cheetah has a phone number, which was removed from the final version of the game.

Clothing

In Franklin's trailer, Denise Clinton can be seen originally having a different appearance with a different hairstyle, glasses and a green hoodie representing the Families but was changed before the game's release.

There would have been an extra heist involving the 3 protagonists robbing a rich guys mansion dressed as clowns or mimes stealing artwork and kidnapping his wife (probably merged with the Madrazo sub-plot). The name of the heist was called: The Sharmoota Job.

There was possibly another heist involving a 'Heat'- style bank robbery where the 3 protagonists dressed in suits and balaclavas had a massive shoot-out with the LSPD in the LS Downtown core (Probably removed due to similarities with the GTA IV mission Three Leaf Clover - A screenshot with Michael in a white suit not available in the game and numerous artworks with the 3 protagonists dressed in suits and balaclavas can be found)

The Heat styled heist was possibly a beta version of the Big Score: Loud approach

Soundtracks
According to GTAForums user NightSpectre, there were several soundtracks removed from the game. It is suspected that there might have been more songs cut from the soundtrack than featured in the actual game. A complete list can be found here:

Non-Stop Pop FM:

The Black Eyed Peas - Meet Me Halfway (2009)

Cassie - Me & U (2006)

Cobra Starship ft. Sabi - You Make Me Feel... (2011)

Duncan Sheik - She Runs Away (1996)

Duran Duran - Serious (1990)

Enrique Iglesias - I Like It (2010)

Estelle ft. Kanye West - American Boy (2008)

Jamiroquai - Love Foolosophy (2001)

Kevin Rudolf - Let It Rock (2008)

Kiki Dee - Star (1981)

Kylie Minogue - 2 Hearts (2007)

Mike Posner - Cooler Than Me (Single Mix) (2010)

Moloko - The Time Is Now (2000)

Morcheeba - Tape Loop (1996)

Neon Trees - Animal (2010)

Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue - Kids (2000)

Seal - Future Love Paradise (1991)

Sneaker Pimps - 6 Underground (1996)

The Supermen Lovers - Starlight (2001)

Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World (1985)

Timbaland ft. Keri Hilson & D.O.E. - The Way I Are (2007)

Wilson Phillips - Hold On (1990)

Los Santos Rock Radio:

Cheap Trick - Surrender (1978)

Crowded House - It's Only Natural (1991)

The Cult - 'Lil Devil (1987)

Def Leppard - Hysteria (1987)

Golden Earring - Radar Love (1973)

Kenny Loggins - I'm Alright (1980)

Kenny Rogers & The First Edition - Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) (1967)

Additionaliy, there was a cut 90s Rock radio sation called "P.M.R". The station was replaced by Vinewood Boulevard Radio as the game's file lists the station under "90s Rock", and the logo can be seen on the radio wheel within the files as well. The station would've played 90s Alternative Rock/Metal, Brit Pop/Brit Rock, Indie Rock, and Post-Grunge. Songs that were meant for this station include:

According to a Game Informer interview released in November 2012, it seems that grass had a glossy sheen of morning dew, and alarm systems installed in rich houses on Vinewood Hills and Richman. In the actual release, these features are dropped.

The interior of a certain apartment in GTA Online had a different look.

The player were meant to buy Drugs from Smoke on the Water but was removed for unknown reason, in the final game, Franklin maybe seen buying medical marijuana from the shop when switching to him.

Police were meant to arrest the player for speeding or ignoring traffic lights but this was removed for unknown reasons, but probably because the feature would become repetitive, as most players in general simply just drive past the lights and traffic.

Bass Boost, Nitro and Hydraulics car modifications from GTA San Andreas would return in GTA V, but was cut during development. Although enabled, it is not yet known the buttons used to activate the Nitro and toggle the Hydraulics.

There were different car exhaust sounds.

In a screenshot, Franklin can be seen wielding a Desert Eagle with one hand. But, in the final version of the game, he wields all pistols with two hands, it's likely this animation was only to appear in a cutscene of some-sort.

In another screenshot, Franklin can be seen walking away from Families members being arrested by the police. Although, this event never happened in the final version of the game, however no such event is seen in-game.

In Michael's trailer, he is seen using his elbow to hit Simeon, but this is never seen in game or in cutscenes.

In the beta, some police vehicles, particularly Sheriff Cruisers had older coloured San Andreas license plates, as opposed to the SA Exempt plate found in game on all emergency vehicles.